Automatic closer for windows and the like



March 21, 1933. 1 v U 1,902,392

AUTOMATIC CLOSER FOR WINDOWS AND THE LIKE Filed July 12, 1927 Patented Mar. 21, 1933;

UNETE- stares LOUIS VANCE BLUE, OF PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA;

Pair

OF THE ESTATE OF SAID LOUIS V. BLUE, DECEASED Application filed July 12,

This invention relates to improvements in automatic closers for windows and the like the invention being directed to and coniprising specifically a clock operated automatic closer for windows or for automatically op erating such other devices as come within the construction hereinafter described.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a device of the character described for automatically closing a window at any given or predetermined time.

A further object of the invention is, the provision of a device of the character described having incorporated therein novel features of construction which will be more specifically pointed out in the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing. I

In the drawing:

Figure l is a View in side elevationof'the improved automatic window closing device, the device being shown attached to a win dow sill and in conjunction with a window.

Figure 2 is a View in side elevation, the view being partially broken away to show the device in vertical section. V

Figure 3 is a top plan view of the device.

Figure i is an end view showing a modified fo in of trip.

As is well known, it is a common practice to open windows in rooms, particularly bedrooms, before retiring at night, and devices of varying constructions for automatically closing the window have appeared in patcuts from time to time and have otherwise been brought to the general notice of the public. However so far as I am aware, none of these devices have come into general use.

One reason for the lack of general use of these devices is thought to be that their construction is too complicated and their sale price too high. The present invention having accomplished the desired result, is quite simple in nature and is cheap to manufacture.

Referring now to the drawing which illustrates a preferred embodiment of the invention, A designates a window sill and B a bottom frame or sash of .a window carry- 1927. Serial No. 205,204.;

ing a usual glass or pane 5. ,The window sash at its inner side isprovided with a hook 6 or some equivalent thereof, the specific purpose of which will behereinafter pointed out.

By reference to the several figures of the drawing it will be seen that the automatic closer comprises aboX or housing C which is attached to the window sill by suitable screws 7 or the like, said screws passing through a flange B provided at the sides of the base of the box. A transverse the box and carries a. spring 10. The construction is such that the spring can be put under tension by revolving the shaft 9 by any-suitable and cornmon-meanssuch as akey. 1 V

shaft 9 extends.

EDWARD B. iannnnxncuron.

Superimposed upon the spring box and preferably rigidly attached thereto, is a housing I) to which is attached a. clock E by means of brackets 11. This housing D has a thickened front face or wall 12 which is held in place by suitable screws 13 so that this end of the housing can be removed if desired. Centrallyof the inner side of the end wall 12 is an inwardly extending thickened portion 14. The thickened portion l and the front wall of the housing is provided with a bore 15 in which is slidably mounted a trigger pin 16. The inner end of this triggerpin is rounded as at'17 while the outer end to a point 18.

Positioned transversethe housing 1) and in back of the trigger pin is a shaft 19 carrying an, eccentric rod 20-, the lower end of which is provided with an eccentric or cam 21 which engages the rounded inner end of the trigger pin. The upper end of the rod 20 extends through .a suitable opening 22 in the top of the housing and one endof the lock bar 23 is pivotally fastened as at 24 to this lever. The greater portion of its length is flat and intermediate its length is provided with an inset forming a shoulder 25. This lock bar extends through a guide .26 which is fastened as at 27 adjacent the rear end of the top :ofthe housing D. The extreme outer of the pin "tapers down c It will be readily guide sired height.

right hand side of the guide. The rod 29 extending through the top side of the clock housing normally carries the clapper which sounds against the alarm bell of the clock.

understood that er and the alarm hell have been removed from the clock.

The clock is of the common construction and is provided with the usual winding handle'31 and the setting handle 32. The time'for the sounding of the alarm is set by: the handle 33.

The normal position of the eccentric lever is shown in dotted lines in Figures 1 and 2 of the drawing. -The eccentric lever is held in this position. by reason of the coil spring 34 which exerts a-normal tension to pull this lever toward the clock.

Positioned on the outer face of the front or end wall 12 of the housing D and in line with the bore 15 carrying the trigger pin is a guide 35. The .free end 36 of the spring 10 is provided with a ring 37 and the free end of the spring passes outwardly through the opening 38 in the front wall of the spring box C passing upwardly through the and is attached to the window sash B by hooking the ring 37 over the hook 6. The spring is'further provided, adjacent its free end, with a series of holes or openings 39 which holes are adapted to receive and be engaged by the tapered outer end 18 of the trigger pin.

Operation In the use of the device, the free end 36 of the spring is attached to the window sash and the window raised to the de- The raising of the window will automatically increase the tension of the spring 10 upon its shaft 9.

Then the window is positioned at the desired height, the eccentric lever 20 is grasped and manually pushed forward against the tension of the coil spring 34: to the position shown in full lines in Figures 1 and 2 of the drawing. The lever will remain in this forward position due to the fact that the spring 30 in the guide 26 will push the lock bar to the right and cause the shoulder 25 of the lock bar to engage the front face of the guide, as clearly appears i Figure 3 of the drawing. With the forward movement of the eccentric lever 20, the eccentric 21 has engaged t .e rounded inner end of the trigger pin and forced the trigger pin outwardly so that its tapered outer end 18 is moved into engagement with one of the holes 39 in the spring, hus neutralizing the downward the clappull of the spring 10 and preventing the spring from pulling the window downwardly.

lhe alarm clock, having been wound, is now set so that the alarm mechanism will be released at the time it is desired that the window be closed.

When the time is reached for the sounding and release of the alarm mechanism of the clack, the rod 29 of the alarm mechanism will move or oscillate throughout the length of the groove 4:0, Figure 3 of the drawing, thus pushng the lock bar 23 to the left against the tension of the spring 30. Upon the movement of the lock bar to the left, the shoulder 25 of the lock bar is carried out of engagement with the face of the guide and the eccentric lever 20 is pulled rearwardly by the tension of the coil spring 34 to the position shown in dotted lines in Figures 1 and 2 of the drawing. 7

The rearward movement of the eccentric lever swings the eccentric 21 upwardly out of engagement of the rounded inner end 17 of the trigger pin and the trigger pin is accordingly free to move inwardly.

As the outer end of the trigger pin which is in engagement with the openings in the spring is tapered, the downward pull of the spring working against this tapered end, pushes the trigger pin inwardly out of engagement with the openings 39 and permits the spring 10 to pull the window downwardly to a closed position. I

From'the foregoing it will be seen that the operation of the device is automatic after the window had once been raised and the eccentric lever carried forward by manual operation.

It will be additionally seen that although it is necessary to wind the clock from time to time, that once the tension has been put upon the spring 10, this operation will not again be necessary as the tension is automatically increased by the raising of the window and the consequent upward pull upon the spring. 7

By reference to Figure 2, it will be seen that the bore 15, in which the trigger pin is slidably mounted, is enlarged and tapered upwardly at its outer end. \Vith this construction it is possible to position the trigger in locking position prior to raising the window. When the window is raised and the spring 10 pulled upwardly the openings in the spring will carry the outer end of the trigger pin upwardly in the tapered outer end of the bore 15, thus automatically releasing the outward projection of the pin and permitting the spring to pass freely. However, when the window goes down slightly to a point where there is a hole in the spring, this hole in engaged by the trigger pin and the trigger pin carried downwardly which upper end of this locked relation with the causes it tomovle into a locked position as shown in full lines in Figure .2.

Byreference to Figured, a modified form of tripping mechanism is illustrated. It will be seen that a propeller-shaped lever 29* is rotatably supported uponthe shaft .32 of the setting handle 32, and that the lever engages the -elon, gated end 28 of thelockbar :23. The lower end of the lever 29 is positioned adjacent the alarm winding handle 31 and is adapted to be engaged by the projecting arm 81 carried by the alarm winder.

As is well understood, the handle 31 of the alarm winder rotates as the alarm sounds. As this handle rotates the projection 31* strikes the lower end ofathelever 29 and swings upon its pivotal support, thus moving the upper end of the lever in a counter clock-wise direction and forcing the lock 32 out of engagement with the right hand side of the guide. The remaining part of the apparatus operates in a manner previously described.

Having thus described my invention, what I desire to claim and secure by Let ters Patent of the United States is:

l. A window closing device comprising a spring pulling the window downward, said spring having trigger receiving means, a

trigger for locking the spring against its downward tension, means to move said trigger into locked position in respect to the spring, and means for releasing the trigger, whereby the spring pulls the window downward.

2. A spring actuated window closing device, comprising a spring having connection with the window, said spring having openings therein, a trigger having a tapered end engaging said spring openings, means to move the trigger into engagement with the spring, means to lock the trigger in said position and means for releasing the trigger engaging nie gns, whereby the trigger is pusneo. out or engagement with the spring and the spring pulls thewindow downward.

3. A device for closing a window, com prising a spring having attachment with the window and exerting a normal downward pull, a movable lock engaging said spring and looking it against its downward tension, means for holding said 1001: in spring, and means for disengaging said lock actuating means from the lock, whereby the spring is released and the window pulled downward.

a. A device for closing a window, comprising a housing carrying a spring, operative connection between the spring and the window, housing carrying a guide for said spring, a trigger movable into and out or" said guide, openings in said spring engaged y said trigger, means to move said trigger into engagement with the spring and means mg a trigger adapted lp-ll-ll thereupon, .a

by the downward tension means for releasing said trigger actuating means from i ts locked position,.wherebyvithe spring exerts it normal downward pull upon the window and operates thesame.

'5. A device for closing a window,.co1nprising a spring having operative connecti on with the dew :anclexerting a normal downward pull thereupon, a housing carry to engage saidspriing and'locl: against itsdownward tension,

an eccentric lever carrying an eccentric engaging the end of said trigger for. lmovin the trigger into engagement with the spring, means "to lock said lever and eccentric :in engagement'with the trigger, and means to release said lever locking nieans, for the purpose described. i V I A device for closing a window, comprisinga spring having connection with the window and normally exerting a "downward series of openings in said spring, :a trigger having a tapered end torengaging said opening, means for movingjthe trigger intoengagement with the M spring and locking it in said position, means to release said trigger engaging means, and meanslto move the trigger engaging means out of engagement with the trigger, whereby the downward tension of the spring forces the trigger away from and out of engagement with the sprlngan'd permits the spring to pull the window downward.

' A device for closing a window, coniprising a spring having engagement with the window and normally exerting a downward pull thereupon, said spring being provided with'a series of openings, a trigger slidable in respect to said spring and provided with a tapered end with said spring openings, an eccentric for actuating said trigger towards the spring, an eccentric lever, a lock barfor said lever, a guide for said lock bar, a shoulder on said lock bar for engagement' with said guide, a spring in said guide for normally causing the shoulder; to engage the guide,

means for releasing the shoulder of the look bar from engagement with the guide and means to automatically move the eccentric out of engagement with the trigger,'where of the spring forces the trigger out of engagement with thespring openings and permits to pull thewindow downward.

8. A window closing device comprisinga coil spring of tape form, one end of said spring tape being attached to the window and exerting a downward pull thereupon when the window is in a raised osition a spring tape being pr'o-- openings, means to move and hold said look into engagement with said spring openings to hold the spring against its tension, and means for releasing said for engagement the spring 2 I look holding means', for the purpose described. I

9. A spring actuated window closing device, comprising a coil spring in the form of a tape mounted within a housing, the housing above said spring housing having therein a trigger and means to reciprocate the same, said spring tape extending from its housing upwardly past the housing having the trigger and attached to exerting a downward pull thereupon when the window is in raisedposition,said spring tape being provided with a plurality of openings, said trigger housing provided with an opening in which said trigger reciprocates for engagement withthe spring openings, means toreciprocate the trigger and hold it in locked relation with the spring tape, and means to release the locking and actuating means of the trigger,.for the purpose described.

10. A window closing device comprising a coil spring of tape form, one end of said spring tape being attached to the window and exterting a downward pull thereupon when the window is in-a raised position, a sliding lock, said spring tape being provided with openings, means to move and hold said lock in engagement with said spring openings to hold the spring aganist its tension, and means for releasing said lock holding means, for the purposedescribed.

11. A spring actuated window closing de vice, comprising a coil spring in the 'form of a tape mounted within a housing, the housing extending above said spring and having therein a trigger and means to reciprocate the same, said spring tape extending from its housing upwardly past that portion of the housing carrying the trigger and attached to the window and exerting a downward pull thereupon when the window is in a raised position, said spring tape being provided with a plurality of openings, said housing provided with an opening in which said trigger reciprocates for engagement with the spring openings, means to reciprocate the trigger and hold it in locked position with the spring tape, and means to release the locking and actuating means of the trigger, for the purpose described.

12. A spring actuated window closing device, comprising a spring having connection with the window, said spring having openings therein, a trigger having a tapered end engaging said spring openings, ,means to move the trigger into engagement with the spring, means to lock the trigger in said position, and means for releasing the trigger actuating means, whereby the trigger is ushed out of engagement with the spring and the spring pulls the window downward.

13. A device for closing a window, comprising a housing carrying a spring, operative connection between the spring and the the window and window, a housing carrying a guide'for said spring, a trigger: movable. into and out of said guide, openings in said spring engaged by said trigger, means to move said trigger into engagement with the spring, and means to lock said trigger actuating means, and means .tor releasing said trigger actuating means fromits locked position, whereby the spring exerts its normal downward pull upon the window and closes the same.

14:. A device for closing a window, comprising a spring havingengagement with the window and normally exerting a downward pull thereupon, said spring being provided with a series of openings, a trigger slidable in respect to said spring and provided with a tapered end for engagement with said spring openings, an eccentric for actuating said. triggertowards the spring, an eccentric lever, lock bar for said lever, a guide for said lock bar, a shoulder on said lock bar adapted for engagementwith said guide, a sprin in said guide vfor normally causing said lock bar shoulder to engage theguide, means for releasing the shoulder of the lock bar from engagement with the guide, means to move the eccentric lever and cause the eccentric to move out of engagement with the trigger, whereby the downward tension of the spring forces the trigger out ofengagement with the spring openings window downward.

15. A window closing device comprising a spring, one end of said spring being attached to the window and exerting a downward pull thereupon when the window is; in a raised position, a movable lock, said spring being provided with means adapted to be engaged by said lock, means to move and hold said lock in engagement with said spring to hold the spring against its tension, and means for releasing said lock holding means, for the purpose described.

16. A device for closing a window, comprising a spring having engagement with the window and normally exerting a downward pull thereupon, said spring being provided with an opening, a trigger movable into andout of engagement with said spring opening, a member for actuating said trigger, a lock for said member when it is in engagement with said trigger, means to move said member fromits locked position, means normally holding said member out of engagement with the trigger, and said spring acting to close the window when the trigger operating member is in an unlocked position.

In testimony whereof I hereunto afiix my i gnature.

LOUIS VANCE BLUE.

and permits the spring to pull the 

